Lake Como sits 1 hour north of Milan and is reached on guided day trips that combine the towns of Como, Bellagio and Varenna with a private boat cruise across the Y-shaped lake.
4.5 out of 5 · 10,921 reviews
Day Trips from Milan
Milan is the gateway to northern Italy, with daily one-day excursions to Lake Como, Venice, the Cinque Terre, Florence and Pisa, St Moritz on the Bernina Express and Lake Garda.
Venice is 2.5 hours from Milan by Frecciarossa train and is visited on guided day trips that cover St Mark's Square, the Doge's Palace, the Rialto Bridge and the Grand Canal.
The Cinque Terre's five fishing villages along the Ligurian coast are reached on guided day trips from Milan that include train rides between the villages and a coastal boat cruise.
Florence and Pisa are reached in 1.5 hours by Frecciarossa train from Milan, visited on guided day trips that cover the Florence Cathedral, Ponte Vecchio and the Leaning Tower of Pisa.
Lake Garda's southern shore at Sirmione pairs with Verona's Roman arena and Juliet's balcony on guided day trips from Milan that include a boat cruise across the largest Italian lake.
The UNESCO-listed Bernina Express red train climbs from Tirano to St Moritz across the Swiss Alps and is reached on guided day trips from Milan that often include Lake Como.
Lake Maggiore lies 1 hour northwest of Milan, visited on guided day trips to Stresa and the Borromean Islands of Isola Bella, Isola Madre and Isola dei Pescatori.
The French Riviera's Monaco principality and the city of Nice are reached on guided day trips from Milan that combine Monte Carlo's casino with Nice's Promenade des Anglais.
Genoa, Italy's largest medieval centre, pairs with the Portofino fishing harbour on guided day trips 1.5 hours south of Milan along the Ligurian coast.
Interlaken sits between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz in the Swiss Alps and is reached from Milan on day trips via the green Alpine train through the Bernese Oberland.
Courmayeur, the Italian gateway to Mont Blanc at 4,810 m, is reached on day trips from Milan via the Skyway cable car across the Aosta Valley.
The Serravalle Designer Outlet and Fidenza Village near Milan host over 200 fashion brands and are reached on guided shopping day trips with round-trip transfers.
How to choose the right day trip from Milan
Milan sits at the crossroads of Northern Italy, the Swiss Alps and the French Riviera, putting 11 distinct destinations within reach for a full-day excursion. The catalogue spans Italian lakes like Como, Garda and Maggiore, Renaissance cities such as Venice and Florence, alpine train routes through St Moritz and Interlaken, and coastal escapes to Monaco and Nice. Prices range from €10 for an outlet shopping shuttle to €169 for a guided Florence and Pisa combo.
Choosing comes down to three variables: what type of landscape you want, how much you want to spend, and whether you prefer a guided group or a scenic train journey. Lake Como leads with 2 products from €77 and a 4.4 ★ average, while the Bernina Express route to St Moritz offers 4 options from €109 rated 4.6 ★. The sections below break down every option by trip type, cost and inclusions.
Types of day trips from Milan
Italian lakes
Lake Como is the closest major destination, about one hour north by bus, with tours visiting Bellagio and including a boat cruise from €77. Lake Garda and Verona combine lakeside scenery with a medieval city in a single full-day tour, offering 5 products from €98 rated 4.7 ★. Lake Maggiore rounds out the trio with 2 options from €99, covering the Borromean Islands and their Baroque palaces.
Italian cities
Venice is reachable by high-speed train in about 2.5 hours, with 2 guided tours from €159 that include a boat ride through the canals and a 4.5 ★ rating. Florence and Pisa combine the Duomo and the Leaning Tower in a single day from €169, rated 5.0 ★. Genoa and Portofino offer a Ligurian coastal alternative with 2 products from €129 rated 4.7 ★.
Swiss Alps
The Bernina Express route is the flagship alpine day trip: a UNESCO-listed railway crossing 196 bridges and 55 tunnels between Tirano and St Moritz. Four products start from €109 with a 4.6 ★ average. Interlaken sits deeper into Switzerland with 1 option from €149, and Courmayeur at the foot of Mont Blanc offers 2 tours from €149 rated 4.0 ★.
French Riviera and outlet shopping
Monaco and Nice are about 4 hours by coach, with 2 products from €159 rated 4.3 ★. This is the longest day trip from Milan but covers two countries in a single excursion. For a shorter outing, the outlet shopping shuttle departs from Milan Central Station at €10 with a 4.5 ★ rating, making it the most affordable option in the entire catalogue.
How much do day trips from Milan cost
Affordable day trips
The outlet shopping shuttle starts at €10 and is the lowest entry point. Lake Como tours begin at €77 and Lake Garda at €98, keeping most lake destinations under €100. These options combine shorter travel distances with group transport, which keeps the per-person cost down.
Premium day trips
Swiss Alpine routes sit in the €109 to €149 range because they include train tickets on scenic railways like the Bernina Express. Venice, Monaco and Florence start from €159 to €169 due to longer distances and multi-stop itineraries. These full-day excursions cover the most ground but require an early departure.
What affects the price
Distance from Milan is the primary driver: nearby lakes cost less than cross-border Swiss or French destinations. Train ticket inclusions on alpine routes raise the base price. Group size also matters: standard coach tours run lower than small-group options with the same itinerary.
Day trips from Milan at a glance
| Destination | From | Rating | Products | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Outlet Shopping | €10 | 4.5 ★ | 1 | Fashion and bargains |
| Lake Como | €77 | 4.4 ★ | 2 | Bellagio, boat cruise |
| Lake Garda + Verona | €98 | 4.7 ★ | 5 | Lake and medieval city |
| Lake Maggiore | €99 | 4.4 ★ | 2 | Borromean Islands |
| St Moritz + Bernina Express | €109 | 4.6 ★ | 4 | UNESCO scenic railway |
| Genoa + Portofino | €129 | 4.7 ★ | 2 | Ligurian coast |
| Interlaken | €149 | — | 1 | Swiss lakes and peaks |
| Courmayeur + Mont Blanc | €149 | 4.0 ★ | 2 | Mont Blanc views |
| Venice | €159 | 4.5 ★ | 2 | Canals, boat ride |
| Monaco + Nice | €159 | 4.3 ★ | 2 | French Riviera |
| Florence + Pisa | €169 | 5.0 ★ | 1 | Duomo, Leaning Tower |
Prices shown are indicative starting prices from the GuruWalk catalogue. They may vary by date, group size and availability.
What is included in day trips from Milan
What the price covers
Most guided day trips include round-trip transport by coach from Milan Central Station and a professional guide at each destination. Lake trips to Como and Maggiore add a boat cruise as part of the package. Swiss Alpine routes such as the Bernina Express include a 2nd-class train ticket on the scenic railway between Tirano and St Moritz, plus coach transfers between Milan and the Italian side of the border.
Languages
All products in the Milan day trip catalogue are available in English. Some Bernina Express tours operate with a bilingual English and Spanish guide. Audio headphones are provided on selected lake tours so the guide can be heard clearly during boat segments and outdoor walking sections.
Frequently asked questions about day trips from Milan
What is the best day trip from Milan?
Lake Garda and Verona is the highest-rated option at 4.7 ★ with 5 products from €98. Lake Como is the most popular lake destination with tours from €77 including a boat cruise to Bellagio. For a cross-border experience, the Bernina Express to St Moritz offers a UNESCO-listed scenic railway rated 4.6 ★.
Can I visit Switzerland as a day trip from Milan?
Yes. The Bernina Express route reaches St Moritz via Tirano, with 4 guided options from €109. Interlaken is available as a full-day tour from €149. Both routes include coach transfers from Milan Central Station and the necessary border crossing, so no separate Swiss visa is required for EU and Schengen passport holders.
How much does a day trip from Milan cost?
Prices start at €10 for the outlet shopping shuttle and €77 for a Lake Como tour. Italian lake day trips range from €77 to €99. Swiss Alpine routes cost €109 to €149, and longer city trips to Venice, Florence or Monaco range from €159 to €169.
Where do Milan day trips depart from?
Most guided tours depart from Milano Centrale, the main train station. Coach pick-up points are located near the station entrance. Bernina Express tours include a coach transfer from Milano Centrale to Tirano, where the scenic train segment begins.
Is a day trip from Milan to Venice worth it?
Venice is about 2.5 hours from Milan by high-speed train. Guided full-day tours from €159 include round-trip private transfers, a professional guide, and a boat ride through the canals, rated 4.5 ★. The travel time is significant but the itinerary covers St Mark's Square, the Rialto area and a canal cruise in a structured day.
What is included in a Bernina Express day trip from Milan?
The package includes coach transfers from Milano Centrale to Tirano, a 2nd-class train ticket on the Bernina Express from St Moritz to Thusis or Tirano, and a professional guide. Meals, cable cars and optional activities in St Moritz are not included. Prices start from €109.
Explore all day trips from Milan
Day Trip from Milan to Lake ComoDay Trip from Milan to VeniceDay Trip from Milan to Cinque TerreDay Trip from Milan to Lake Garda and VeronaDay Trip from Milan to Florence and PisaDay Trip from Milan to St Moritz and Bernina ExpressDay Trip from Milan to Lake MaggioreDay Trip from Milan to Monaco and Nice
More popular day trip destinations
© GuruWalk SL
·····